"Be on your best behavior," Nina playfully teased. She and Snow Miser were standing outside the ice castle. It was a bright and sunny morning, though, as usual, it was extremely cold.
"Oh, I'll try," Snow joked in turn, his voice sounding exasperated in an exaggerated way. "You know how hard it is for me, especially around my brother."
The couple had just returned from Mother Nature's after telling her about their engagement, which had taken place the night before. Now, they were going to tell Heat Miser the big news.
"How do you think he'll react?" Nina asked, a little nervous. "I mean, I know he knows we were talking about it, but now that it's a for sure thing, will he take it well?"
"Does it matter? We're happy; that's the important thing."
"It'll make it easier on us if everyone is supportive."
"Well, Mom and Dad and Mr. and Mrs. C. took it great," Snow stated. "So, at least they're in our corner. Come on, sugarplum; there's nothing to worry about."
Nina nodded, and Snow Miser teleported them to his brother's castle.
Heat Miser let them in after they knocked on the front door. "Have a seat. Sorry about the mess," he said, pulling up some chairs.
The inside of Heat Miser's castle was chaotic. Furniture was moved around, and a few pieces were tipped over. Some new decorations, such as paintings and potted plants, were scattered all over the floor.
"Whoa! Did a tornado come through here?" Snow asked, looking around.
"No. I'm just rearranging my stuff. I don't have that much help, so I'm mostly doing this on my own."
"We could help you," Nina kindly told Heat.
"No, thank you. I'd rather do all this work, myself, than listen to that drippy snowman complain about the temperature in here."
"I'm right here, you hot dog. And I can stand a little hot weather. I just did a few weeks ago," remarked Snow, sitting down and dangling his legs over the chair.
Heat sat down on his throne. "Hm. So, what brings you two over?"
Nina looked at Snow Miser, and they couldn't contain their excitement. "We're getting married," they told him at the same time.
Heat Miser seemed startled, then he frowned his usual frown. "Congratulations," he said without much emotion.
"Thank you. We're very happy about it." Then, Nina turned towards Snow. "I think we've told everyone but my mom and stepdad."
"Well, we can make another trip. We told them we'd visit more often. This would be a perfect reason to go again."
Nina asked Heat, "Would you like to come with us?"
"What?" the brothers asked, simultaneously.
"Heat, I'd like you to meet the other part of my family, too," Nina explained.
Heat Miser suddenly became nervous but tried to mask it. "It's a nice thought, but I have too much to do around here."
"Ah, come on," Snow Miser said, nonchalantly waving his hand. "You'd love it down there. Southtown is in your territory, after all."
"I said no," Heat firmly told them.
Nina was disappointed but didn't press the question further. Changing the subject, she stated, "We've started planning the wedding. We're having it at the North Pole."
"Oh, goody. All the guests can freeze their toes off. Why not have it at a beach, where it's nice and warm?"
"Because we want to have it at the North Pole," Snow answered. "We've already got the spot picked out."
"I'm sure it'll be lovely," Heat sighed, rolling his eyes.
Hurt, Nina got up and went outside without saying anything else.
"Now, look what you did," Snow hissed, frowning. "What is with you?"
"I'm not talking about it."
"Fine, but you better go apologize to her." Snow crossed his arms and glared at his brother.
Heat got up from his throne and went outside. Nina was standing in front of the castle, looking at the sky and trying to hold back tears. Seeing her so upset made Heat rub the back of his neck, guiltily. "Hey, Nina, listen...I'm sorry for being a jerk."
She turned towards him, her eyes filled with pain. "I don't understand why you're being so rude to us about this. Snow Miser and I really love each other and want to get married."
"I know. It's not really about that."
"Then, what is it about?"
Heat stood next to her, avoiding eye contact. "I've had a lot on my mind, lately."
Nina turned towards him, her emotion immediately switching from hurt to concern. "What's wrong? You can tell me."
"Some other time, maybe."
"Is there anything I can do?"
Heat sighed. "Alright. I guess I'll tell you one of the things that's bothering me. It's not that I don't want to go to Southtown with you two, although the thought of going on a trip with my brother sounds about as fun as pulling teeth. The main reason I don't want to go is I don't want to be ridiculed."
"Ridiculed?" Nina asked, confused. "By who?"
"Humans." Heat clenched his fists. "They're all alike; they hate anyone who's different or 'abnormal'. I don't like being around them and barely want anything to do with them."
"But...I'm human, or was. I'm not sure what I am, now."
"You're the only good one. You're the exception, not the rule."
Nina looked at him with compassion and laid a hand on his arm. "I won't ask why you think like this, but I will tell you that not all people are bad. Some are, but if you go with us, I'll do my best to make sure nobody hurts you or causes any trouble for you."
For a moment, an expression crossed Heat Miser's face that Nina couldn't discern. Then, he nodded. "I'll think about it. Well, we better go back in before your fiancé comes out here and tries to turn me into a popsicle."
"I wouldn't let him do that," Nina said with a small smile. She hugged him. "Whatever's going on, it'll be okay," she told him in a soothing tone.
Heat hugged her back, then pulled away. "Thanks, Nina." With that, they both went inside.
Snow Miser was still sitting with his legs dangling over the side of his chair, using his hands to form tiny ice sculptures, which promptly melted. When his brother and fiancée came in, he immediately looked at Nina and asked, "Is everything okay?"
Nina gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheek. "Yes."
Seeing that she was no longer upset, he relaxed and joked, "It's about time you guys got back. I was bored out of my mind. This place ruins all my masterpieces."
"Masterpieces, huh?" Heat questioned, sitting back down on his throne. "I don't understand ice sculptures. Why would anyone make something that can be destroyed so easily? Marble sculptures are much more durable."
"Eh, those can be destroyed, too. Everything is temporary," Snow said. "Well, everything except love." He smiled at Nina, who beamed at him.
Heat huffed. "Oh, please. Will you two get a room?"
Nina laughed and batted her eyes at Snow. "Sorry. We're just so infatuated with each other."
"Yeah, well, don't start making out in front of everybody," the host grumbled.
"We'll be sure to make the kiss at our wedding extra long," Snow chuckled.
Heat rolled his eyes.
"So, why are you rearranging your stuff?" Nina asked, curious.
"I just need a change. This place is gloomy, and since I've been having visitors lately, I figured I better make it look less like a dungeon," Heat answered.
"It's a wonder what a few plants can do for a place," Snow commented, picking up a small potted cactus. Pricking his finger, he quickly set it down and shook his hand.
Heat chuckled. "I do have pretty good tastes."
"Are you sure you don't need any help? It wouldn't be any trouble," Nina told him.
"I'll manage."
The three talked and visited for awhile, then Snow Miser and Nina said goodbye to Heat Miser and left.
After Heat closed the door behind them, he sighed, dejectedly. Looking at himself, then around at his throne room, he muttered, "I've got to clean up this mess."